Buccaneers Film Study: Watching the 2017 Arizona Cardinals

When looking at ways for the Buccaneers to exploit the Cardinals defense, we’re going to again reach back into 2016.

We all remember this play, right?

If you don’t remember, this is Patrick Peterson intercepting a first-quarter pass from Jameis Winston intended for Mike Evans.

Had this been a catch, it either would’ve been the opening score of the game, or would have set the Bucs offense up inside the Arizona 5-yard line.

It would have capped off a strong opening drive for the Bucs, after their defense forced the Cardinals to punt after their first drive.

However, as it stands, it was a good play by this great defender and got the crowd excited early.

Some criticized Evans on this saying he didn’t fight for the ball enough. Let’s take a wider look at it though.

Pre-snap, Winston can read coverage alignments as the Cardinals have four players in the secondary. The two at the bottom of the screen will presumably cover the two receivers at the bottom, the corner up top – Patrick Peterson – will cover Mike Evans, and Tyrann Mathieu was moving towards the line at the time of the snap. This tell Winston he’s either coming on a blitz, or he’s committed to the running back.

The tight end is working against three linebackers depending on blitzes and the route he runs. This action will be seen pretty quickly after the snap, telling the quarterback what kind of underneath coverage he’s working with.

By the time he throws the ball, he sees Evans has indeed drawn single coverage against one of the best defenders in the game. Mathieu came off his possible blitz and has faded into off coverage against the running back. Meanwhile, the tight end stayed in to block leaving the three linebackers to fall into zone coverage providing solid defense on both the routes which started at the bottom of the image.

However, the it’s the crossing patter being run by Vincent Jackson which pulls safety Tony Jefferson from his deep position, and opens up the deep throw to Evans while Adam Humphries holds his cover-man short with his intermediate route.

In this image, we can see one very important detail. Evans won this route.

The Buccaneers receiver has strong inside position with no defender over the top or inside to help Peterson as he follows up the back of the receiver.

As long as this ball follows the trajectory laid out on this image, and lands near the hashes, then it’s a big play for the offense.

But, the ball doesn’t come down there. Instead, it comes down closer to the numbers, and right into the path of Peterson.

Of course, we already knew this. I included this image for those who say Evans didn’t do enough. Look closely at the picture. See how his head is behind his butt? That’s because the young receiver is literally bending backwards – as he’s running full speed – and he’s tracking a football – and he’s fighting one of the best defenders in the NFL – and he’s doing it all in pads with a helmet. This is what it looks like when a receiver is expecting the ball in one place, and has to try and literally bend himself backwards trying to adjust to it not being there.

So, I showed you all of that, to show you this:

Look familiar? No, it’s not the same offensive play design, and no it’s not against Patrick Peterson, but it’s against the Cardinals defense and shows they are susceptible to plays like this one if the execution is right.

I mean, I’m sure

DeSean Jackson

would be happy to take a stab at this route against this coverage.

This is a little bit of what I saw. What have you seen from either team you think could have an impact on today’s action? Let me know in one of the many ways listed below!

Next: Ren's Bucs Game Plan

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